5 Worst 'Fifty Shades Freed' Fights, According To A Therapist

Fifty Shades Freed, the final installment of E.L. James's Twilight fanfic trilogy, arrives February 9, giving viewers a look at what happens after Christian and Ana exchange vows. But if you've read the book, you already know what happens: They fight. A lot. It’s exhausting and occasionally disturbing. Here, Dr. Jenn Mann, licensed psychotherapist, bestselling author, and host of VH1’s Couples Therapy, breaks down five of the couple’s biggest clashes.

Fight #1: Christian is mad at Ana for sunbathing topless during their honeymoon

Christian claims he’s worried about the paparazzi, but it’s clear he's also bothered by the idea of other men, including his staff, seeing his wife naked. “It’s very controlling behavior,” Dr. Mann says. “Typically, that stems from a fear of abandonment, from a fear that someone else will see her or seduce her or take her in some way. Christian is worried she might be tempted.” Basically, Dr. Mann explains, if you’re with a guy like this, either leave or get him into therapy ASAP.

Continue reading below ↓

Fight #2: Christian is mad at Ana for not taking his last name

Ana decides that, professionally, she's going to keep her last name—she doesn't want to remind the staff that she's married to the boss, after all—but she avoids having a conversation about it with Christian. Instead, he learns of her decision via email, when he sees her maiden name in her signature.

“Avoiding the conversation because you’re worried about conflict with your partner is not healthy,” says Dr. Mann. “Ana needs to have a conversation with Christian about how hard it is for her to talk to him about things that are important. Couples are constantly negotiating—what to eat for dinner, how to raise your children, which movie to watch, and so on. Two people who have their own minds are not going to agree on everything.”

Fight #3: Ana is mad at Christian for buying the publishing house where she works

Christian purchases Seattle Independent Publishing for Ana as her wedding gift, telling her he plans to rename it in her honor so she can one day become CEO of the company. “This was not a healthy choice,” says Dr. Mann. “In a healthy relationship, couples discuss big choices that impact one another’s careers. Ana made it very clear in her dynamic with Christian that she wanted the opportunity to prove herself on her own in her career and not be thought of as someone who succeeded because of who her boyfriend/husband was.”

Continue reading below ↓

Fight #4: Christian is mad at Ana for going out to a bar

Ana has drink plans with Kate, and decides to go out to a bar rather than stay at home. She doesn't tell Christian—who is out of town and worried for her safety—about the change of plans, and he returns home angry. “I do think when you’re part of a couple, you need to be accountable to one another,” says Dr. Mann. “If you’re going to be somewhere, tell your partner so they don’t have to worry, especially in this day and age of terrorism, mass shootings, and nuclear scares—it’s important to know where our loved ones are.”

Fight #5: Ana is mad at Christian for meeting up with his ex

Christian meets up with Mrs. Robinson behind Ana’s back after they fight about her unplanned pregnancy (another fight!). “He was having contact with an ex without telling his partner, which is a rule breaker in really any relationship with trust and communication,” says Dr. Mann. “In a situation like that, I’d like to see Christian completely understand why this was such a breach of trust. He is someone who doesn’t trust easily and understands its importance so he needs to also understand the significance of breaking Ana’s trust. It works both ways.”